But never did he agitate to leave – the Reds’ longest current servant ultimately made sacrifices in order to help out the club as his experience was still needed.

Such loyalty has been rewarded, with Klopp reluctantly accepting he should be allowed to leave should the right bid arrive in this window.

Lucas insists he does not know where he will be come February but admits the team's hunt for silverware - they are currently second in the Premier League and in the ELF Cup semi-finals - may play some part in his decision.

"The best place for me to be now is Liverpool,” he added. “I cannot say [where] in one week's time, one month's time or four months' time. I have to judge when something comes up if it is better.

"It has been a special season already and we have a chance to win trophies and that is something I consider as well."

Lucas captained a much-changed side in Sunday's goalless FA Cup draw with Plymouth and is hopeful of more game time in Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final first leg at Southampton.

"Everyone is ready to play,” he said. “Especially for me, hopefully I can play as I played all the rounds until now.

"It is a competition we want to do well in as we came very close last year.

"Hopefully we can have two good games in the semi-final against a very difficult team and get to the final."

Lucas has seen many ups and downs during his time at Anfield but believes the Reds are at their collective peak under Klopp.

"I think in terms of spirit it is probably the best since I've been here," said the midfielder.

"We have a very good group of players, there is not one player who tries to be the main man, so it is really team-work and it is really good to work with all of them.

"It has been working really well for us at the moment and hopefully we can carry on working like that and the end of the season will be a positive one."